Visiting the Loire Valley castles with kids in October is a wonderful experience, and for me it’s actually one of the best times of year to explore them. The autumn colours make the gardens glow, the air is crisp, and with fewer crowds, it feels like you have the castles almost to yourself.
Although the Loire Valley boasts over a hundred chateaux, our goal was never not to see them all (if that’s even possible!). Instead, we wanted to soak in the atmosphere of each castle and take our time wandering around without rushing from one place to the next. Each chateau in the Loire Valley has its own unique story to tell and they don’t all look alike. Even after two weeks, we barely scratched the surface of what this incredible region has to offer because it’s not just about the castles. The Loire Valley has many family-friendly activities, like the amazing ZooParc de Beauval, an absolute must during your chateau-hopping journey.
Below, I’ve handpicked a list of Loire Valley castles with kids that I personally explored and wholeheartedly recommend.
1. Château de Chambord – the iconic Loire Valley Castle
Why visit with kids
Over the centuries, Château de Chambord served various roles, transforming from a royal hunting lodge into a symbol of luxury and power. Commissioned by King Francis I in the 16th century, it showcases the height of French Renaissance architecture, with its ingenious double-helix staircase likely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s designs.
During the tumultuous period of World War II, Chateau de Chambord assumed a unique role. The Louvre Museum in Paris entrusted Chambord with safeguarding its invaluable art collection against the looming threat of war. Within Chambord’s protective walls, art treasures, including the iconic Mona Lisa, found refuge from the chaos of the conflict.
I have a more detailed post Discover Chateau de Chambord with Kids about this particular castle if you want to read more.
Recommended activities with kids:
- Don’t miss seeing the centrepiece inside the castle – the magnificent double-spiral staircase inspired by Leonardo da Vinci himself. Kids can run up and down the two spiral staircases without crossing paths.
- The History of Chambord equestrian show is excellent for kids of all ages. It’s in French and costs extra, but it’s worth seeing.
- “Cassandra The Salamander” puzzle books available to buy at the entrance provide a fun way to explore the castle and its gardens through questions, games, and riddles.
- Hire a digital tablet and audio guide, the HistoPad Chambord, for a virtual journey through the castle. Younger children will enjoy a fun treasure hunt as they walk through the chateau searching for missing items.
- Check out an interactive discovery area, Logis des Enfants, where kids can experiment, play and relax.
- If visiting during the French school holidays, sign up for fun workshops both inside the castle and outdoors in the gardens.
2. Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire
Castle and gardens
Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, perched above the River Loire, may be smaller in scale than others, but its gardens stole the show for me. What surprised me was discovering just how many contemporary art installations there were, both inside the castle and throughout the gardens.
This castle has been the stage for royal intrigue, political power plays, and lavish celebrations. Catherine de’ Medici, the wife of King Henry II, acquired Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire in 1560 and exchanged it with her lifelong rival, Diane de Poitiers, for the Château de Chenonceau. The castle has welcomed many famous figures, including Nostradamus, Benjamin Franklin, Germaine de Staël and Chateaubriand.
Recommended activities with kids:
- Walk around the beautiful garden creations by internationally acclaimed artists and landscapers, all part of the annual International Garden Festival (April – November).
- Pick up a kids’ booklet for a fun and informative tour of the castle.
- If visiting during the French school holidays, the castle organises creative workshops for children, at no extra charge.
3. Château de Chenonceau
Castle and gardens
This castle is as fairytale-looking as it gets! It’s also the one that sticks in my memory the most. We kept going around the castle to see the loveliest bridge on the river, and its reflection in the calm waters of River Cher was a sight to behold.
Known as a “Ladies’ Château”, Château de Chenonceau has a rich history of being influenced and inhabited by remarkable women. After King Henri II’s death, his widow, Catherine de Medici, assumed control. She took residence at Château de Chenonceau, which the late king had previously gifted to Diane de Poitiers. Catherine was able to assert her authority by exchanging the Château de Chenonceau for the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire with Diane de Poitiers.
The formal gardens, with their neat symmetry and bursts of colour, are lovely to explore, while the wider grounds have wooded paths, a small maze, and a kitchen garden full of herbs and vegetables. It’s the kind of place where you could easily spend the whole day, wandering between the flower beds or relaxing by the river.
Recommended activities with kids:
- Hire an audio guide for children aged 7+ for a fun tour around the castle.
- Walk around the beautiful gardens designed by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici.
- Get lost in the maze.
- Rent a boat and take a trip down the River Cher.
4. Château de Villandry
Castle and gardens
The last of the grand Loire chateaux built during the Renaissance period, Château de Villandry is known for its magnificent gardens. The château itself, though elegant, feels almost secondary to the gardens that surround it. Divided into terraces, each section has its own theme — from the ornamental flower garden to the tranquil water garden and the famous vegetable garden, where colourful plants are arranged in intricate geometric patterns. Kids will love walking along the pathways that wind through the maze-like hedges and spotting the different shapes and colours from the viewpoints above.
Once the residence of Jean LeBreton, a Finance Minister appointed by King Francis I, who acquired the property in the early 16th century, Château de Villandry has witnessed a succession of owners throughout its history. However, since the early 20th century, the château has been in the hands of the Carvallo family, who have lovingly maintained and cherished this historical gem across generations.
Recommended activities with kids:
- Visit the Children’s Rooms to gain insight into the lives of the chateau’s young residents, complete with toys and books.
- Pick up a kids’ booklet (for ages 7 – 12) with games while visiting the gardens (in French only).
- Hire an audio guide for children (in French only) to discover the castle’s history and gardens.
- Discover the children’s play area in the Sun Garden.
- Get lost in the maze in the outside gardens.
5. Château du Clos Lucé
Why it’s perfect for families
Château du Clos Lucé was one of my favorite castles to visit in the Loire Valley. Its façade is not as imposing as others in the area, but what it lacks in luxury, it makes up in oomphs of character.
The castle became famous for its association with the famous Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci, who was invited to stay at the chateau by King Francis I of France in 1516. Leonardo resided here until his passing in 1519, and it was at this very place where he spent his final years working on what he loved the most – his inventions, paintings, and scientific studies.
Among his prized possessions, Leonardo brought to France his major paintings – Mona Lisa, the Virgin and Child, and St John the Baptist as well as his notes, sketches and manuscripts.
King Francis I of France was fascinated by Leonardo da Vinci and appointed him as “First Painter, Architect, and Engineer to the King”. So, the king gave him accommodation at the Clos Lucé, an allowance of money and a number of people to help him. At the castle, Leonardo was free to work, think and dream.
His workshop at Château du Clos Lucé buzzed with innovation, where he designed a myriad of inventions. Among these creations were prototypes for a helicopter, an armored tank, and a machine for testing the tensile strength of materials. His forward-thinking inventions, although never constructed in his lifetime, foreshadowed technological advancements that would occur centuries later.
Recommended activities with kids:
- Pick up a free Le Carnet de l’Inventeur (The Inventor’s Notebook) booklet (for children aged 7 – 12) for a fun introduction to the castle (available in French and English).
- Don’t miss the Model Rooms in the basement, which I guarantee the children will love. Here, you will find the models of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions built by IBM using da Vinci’s original sketches. 3D animations show how some of these machines would have worked if they were actually made.
- Pick up a map at the front entrance, which shows the park trail you can follow when exploring the outdoors.
- In the park you will come across twenty giant interactive models built according to Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches. Children can stop at each one and test some of the inventions in real life. For example, they can board the tank, operate the aerial screw, handle the machine gun or cross the swing bridge.
6. Château d’Ussé
Castle and the gardens
Château d’Ussé is often associated with the story of “Sleeping Beauty”. This is due to its striking resemblance to the fairy tale castle described by Charles Perrault in his rendition of the classic tale. The castle’s romantic spires, turrets, and idyllic location along the Indre River have led to it being linked with the story of a beautiful princess who pricks her finger on a spindle and falls into a deep slumber until awakened by a prince’s kiss. The castle has been owned by the Blacas family since 1885 who decided to open it up to the public in 1975.
Recommended activities with kids:
- Follow the trail inside the castle from one room to another to discover the recreated scenes from the story of Sleeping Beauty.
- Check out the latest exhibitions – when we visited, there was a Fashion exhibition showing magnificent dresses and costumes worn in the late 19th to mid-20th century.
- If visiting during the Halloween or Easter holidays, don’t miss the giant pumpkins on lawns and giant Easter bunnies distributing chocolates.
Getting to the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is about two hours southwest of Paris, making it an easy destination to reach for a weekend escape or part of a longer family trip through France. You can take a direct train from Paris to cities like Tours, Blois, or Amboise, which serve as great gateways to the region. However, once you arrive, public transport between the castles can be quite limited. That’s why renting a car is by far the best way to explore the Loire Valley with kids.
Where to stay in the Loire Valley with kids
There are PLENTY of accommodation options in the Loire Valley. The region stretches over 250 kilometres, so where you stay depends on which châteaux and towns you’d like to explore most. We chose to stay with friends in this amazing villa in Chaumont-sur-Loire which we booked directly through booking.com. Many accommodations in the Loire Valley cater to families, offering spacious rooms, swimming pools, and on-site restaurants with local cuisine. For longer stays, renting a house or apartment can be ideal, giving you the comfort of home and the flexibility to cook meals or unwind after a day of exploring.
Feel free to leave questions in the comments below or share your own experiences from visits to the Loire Valley for other travellers.
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